The UN Security Council is set to vote on a new draft resolution on Tuesday, urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, despite the potential for a third US veto on such a text. The resolution, prepared by Algeria, calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to be respected by all parties involved. This vote coincides with Israel’s preparations to enter the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, as part of its mission to dismantle Hamas, amidst growing pressure, including from the US, to hold off on the move.
The draft resolution opposes the forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population and demands the release of all Hamas hostages. Similar to previous drafts rejected by the US and Israel, the new text does not condemn Hamas’s October 7 assault, which resulted in approximately 1,160 deaths in southern Israel.
The US has warned that Algeria’s proposed resolution is unacceptable, and it may veto it, stating that the Council’s product will not help the situation on the ground and could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza. The US has circulated an alternate draft, including the term “ceasefire,” which it had previously avoided. However, it does not call for an immediate end to hostilities.
Despite the potential for a US veto, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, insisted on a vote, emphasizing the Arab Group’s generosity in providing additional time. Observers note the likelihood of a US veto that nobody desires but may be unavoidable. The vote coincides with the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya expressed disappointment that a ceasefire agreement couldn’t be reached, attributing the lack of consensus to a single delegation. Chinese representative Jun Zhang highlighted the Security Council’s moral obligation to act and stop the killings, noting the inconsistency of the US vetoing such a move while advocating for the protection of human rights.
